I need reactions to a possible title. I won't go into what the book is about. If you saw a book called The Story of Our Days, then:
--what subject matter/genre would you expect?
--what associations would the title have in your mind?
--would you be bored, intrigued, or something else?
Thanks!
Tags: associations, input, possible, reactions, title
Permalink Reply by Kate McGuinness on I like Sophie's suggestion of Eleanor Eternal. Playing with that idea, there's also "Eleanor Everlasting." Maybe "Eternal Reunion." At the risk of sounding too much like a thriller, there's "No Escape." "Paying Up" suggests resolving old issues. "We'll Meet Again." Maybe just "Again."
Permalink Reply by Aidan Larson on Sophie's "Eleanor Eternal" is real good. That grabs attention and speaks to the content.
I like the blurb. From that, I immediately like (and suggest) the title Death is What You Make It.
I like it so much, that if you don't use it, I just may write a story of my own around it.
Permalink Reply by Karen A. Wyle on Maybe we could do an anthology with that title, and have stories with different versions of the afterlife! (I guess I'd have to drop that line from my blurb.)
I love that idea. I'm such a fan of anthologies. I tried to put one together a couple of years ago, asking contributors to submit stories, poems, photos, random pieces, etc. with the same title, "Up from Here," to be compiled into a special charity book project. Never quite pulled it off...yet. Lots of intentions, but few doers. Apparently, I've just got a lot of sayers and not doers in my writing circle.
As for dropping the line from the blurb, hmm. I say not necessarily. The line oozes intrigue, mystery, and all that stuff you seem to be going for. It's a line that makes me want to keep reading.
@ Regina: I love anthologies, too; maybe the problem with "Up from Here" is that it's too broad. Unless the title absolutely links to the charity - and all your writers know what that charity does - it's a bit vague. People do well with definite guidelines: a story, poem, essay or photograph, 5K words or less, which addresses the idea of being homeless (for instance). That can be interpreted in a lot of different ways - on the street, in exile, but also unrooted - but thematically, the stories will be united. Pick something that's at the heart of the charity. I've been in a couple of anthologies, and they all had a clear theme, which made the stories much easier to write.
@Karen: my two cents goes to Eleanor Eternal. Good luck with it!
Thanks, Laura. I appreciate that. I just sent you a private message, when I realize I had basically hijacked Karen's thread. :)
@Karen...Good luck with whatever title you choose. You've gotten some really good suggestions here. I'm sure you'll make the right decision when it comes down to it.
Permalink Reply by Kim Fay on This is a fascinating topic. When my novel was sold last year, my editor and I spent 4 months working on a title ... the result: The Map of Lost Memories. It goes along with another trend, (trends are big in titles, as Kate mentioned). This trend is: The X of X X. Or The X of X. Lots of "of" titles out there these days. As well as The X's Daughter/Mother/Sister/Keeper, etc. I like Sophie's suggestion: Unfinished Business and also Eleanor Eternal, which is very evocative and could suggest any number of directions for the story. Given your description I'm also toying with "The Death of X" --- the last word being something that could have a double meaning. Wow, I wish I had know about this group when I was struggling - those were a painful four months! So glad to know you're here now when I have questions like this. Good luck!
Permalink Reply by Karen A. Wyle on Thanks for the info on trends! I'll see if these templates spark any ideas. And I like your title -- your and your editor's work paid off!
Permalink Reply by Charlotte Henley Babb on I like Eleanor Eternal too. It gives a hint that ghosts or former-corporeal persons are involved. I also like alliteration.
Permalink Reply by Karen Freeman-Smith on I would expect a historical/memoir type of book about a family or something ... one of those multi-generational stories. (Or possibly non-fiction about how we learned to tell time and make the calendar)
It does make me think a little of "Days of our Lives" which I watched when I was growing up. (My mom was a real fan and us kids had no choice but to go along for the ride.)
Either way, I might pick up the book and take a look at the description or leaf through it. I'd need to see something more to make me want to make a purchase and read it though. (That's not bad, it's a very rare title that will win me over completely all by itself.)
I'd think it was autobiographical - a family saga, not particularly adventurous, domestic, mom/pop/ dogs and kids sort of thing. Nostalgic?. Not grabbed, tbh. as it's a bit 'slow' for me.
Err...you did ask!!!
Amy Jo Sprague liked Claire McAlpine's discussion SheWrites WordPress Directory - Tell us about your blogAmy Jo Sprague posted a blog postAmy Jo Sprague replied to the discussion 'SheWrites WordPress Directory - Tell us about your blog' in the group WordPress Bloggers© 2013 Created by Kamy Wicoff.
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
